british folk | Musicosity

british folk

Elbow Jane

Elbow Jane are a premiere 5 piece acoustic band from the Wirral, comprising guitars, bazouki, mandolin, piano, bass, percussion and expressive vocals. From thought provoking self-penned songs…to unique Interpretations of the worlds best songsmiths. From the emotion of O’Carolan…to the techniques of Tommy Emmanuel. From sensitive ballad, through infectious rhythms…to luring harmonies. Live they excel - playing festival stages and clubs up & down the UK winning fantastic reviews and a loyal following.

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Kerfuffle

A four-piece instrumental and vocal group, Kerfuffle draw their inspiration from both traditional and contemporary music to create their uniquely appealing sound. Formed around a Derbyshire/South Yorkshire axis in 2003, Kerfuffle originally consisted of Sam Sweeney (fiddle, percussion), Hannah James (vocals, accordion), Chris Thornton-Smith (acoustic guitar) and Tom Sweeney (bass guitar). Thornton-Smith was replaced by Jamie Roberts. www.kerfuffleonline.co.uk

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Dambuskers

They are a band with 'attitude', fronted by Steve Ruffe The Wild Man of Folk who - as well as writing great songs that get audiences singing - is on lead vocals and plays guitar, harmonica and percussion. Chloe Watson is a an amazing folk fiddler; her classical training gives her a freedom and edge that keep her afloat above the wild things that go on around her. She is also developing into a talented singer with an amazing delivery that always adds something new to the songs she sings.

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John Renbourn

John Renbourn (born August 8, 1944, Marylebone, London, England) is a British guitarist and songwriter. He is possibly best-known for his collaboration with guitarist Bert Jansch as well as his work with the folk group Pentangle, although he maintained a solo career both before, during and after that band's existence (1967-1973). While most commonly labelled a folk musician, Renbourn's musical tastes and interests take in early music, classical music, blues and world music. His most influential album, Sir John Alot (1968), featured his take on songs from the Medieval era.

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Bellowhead

Bellowhead are an 11 piece band that play arrangements of English traditional music. They have released one Ep, E.P.onymous in Oct 2004, and two albums, Burlesque in Oct 2006 and Matachin in Oct 2008. Current band members are.. Jon Boden - lead vocals and fiddle
John Spiers - melodean & concertina
Benji Kirkpatrick - bouzouki, guitar, mandolin, tenor banjo
Paul Sartin - Fiddle, oboe and vocals
Rachael McShane - Cello, fiddle, vocals
Gideon Juckes - Sousaphone, Helicon & Tuba
Pete Flood - percussion

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Threepenny Bit

A young and vibrant addition to the folk scene, Threepenny Bit folk and ceilidh band was formed from an unlikely combination of student-types in Southampton in 2010. Consisting of suitcase percussion, fiddle, flute, guitar and clarinet, they play a wide range of Irish, English, Cornish, Breton and Scottish diddly-dee music with a hint of klezmer! Threepenny Bit set the trend for “Half Price Busking” in the Summer of 2010, when they embarked upon a busking campaign to spread folk music to the four corners of Southern England.

Read more about Threepenny Bit on Last.fm.

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Steeleye Span

Steeleye Span formed in 1969 from members of Fairport Convention and out of the ashes of Sweeney's Men creating a distinctive fusion of both British folk with electric rock music. The resulting first version of the band was formed by ex-Fairport bassist Ashley Hutchings and built around two pairs of vocalists, one English, one Irish, Tim Hart and Maddy Prior and Terry and Gay Woods. Rhythm was to be supplied largely by Hutchings' bass, and without drums.

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Kate Rusby

Kate Rusby is one of the most popular young folk singers of traditional English folk songs. She was at the centre of the folk revival in the 1990s which occurred with the coming of age of the children of those who were part of the 60s folk revival. Rusby first came to the attention of the folk scene through her duets with Kathryn Roberts, which lead to her becoming a founding member of the group Equation, which has included Seth Lakeman and Cara Dillon.

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Old Swan Band

In the early 1970s the pioneering folk band Oak disbanded, but the nucleus of that band went on to form the Old Swan Band, the name originating from music sessions held in the Old Swan pub in Cheltenham. They became key players in the so-called English Country Music Revival, championing tunes mainly from the English tradition, and influencing a whole generation of folk music performers. They played at barn dances and festivals throughout the seventies and eighties, undergoing a number of personnel changes, and still perform today under the snappier name "Old Swan".

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Anna Kashfi

Anna Kashfi hailing from Manchester boasts of members: Sian Webley, James Youngjohns, Peter Martin and Sarah Kemp. With haunting lyrics and elegant vocals this band will seep into your heart.
Releasing a few singles and such gems as Philokalia and Palisade, one can only hope for more.

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